Track-link connection



Dec. 4, 1928. 1,694,035 F. GROTTS TRACK LINK CONNECTION Filed Feb. 1a, 1925 4 ig W 6 /0 6 Q 3 9 a m/ wmy 8007 21 m wm Atiorngs.

Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDGROTTS. OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 CAT-131% PILLAR TRACTOR- (30., A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

Application filed February This invention rela 1n TRACK-LINK CONNECTION.

tes to improvements larly to an improved means for connecting the links of the track. Ordinarily these onepiece by solid through cooperating ears on the links whereby each link is pivotally joined to the next adjacent link. Such connection is ineflicient for various reasons, particularly among which may be mentioned that the working parts thereof are open and entirely exposed to the en trance of dirt and abrasive material and such parts cannot be vide an improved con kept lubricated. It is the primary. object of my invention to pronection, the working parts of which are tightly housed against the entrance of foreign to receive and hold eating the same.

My invention particularly compound track link matter and adapted grease therein for lubricontemplates a connecting pm comprising a cylindrical pin member and parts cooperating therewith be connected whereby, said and with the links to when assembled, the

compound pin and links will so closely and accurately cooperate that dirt cannot enter and the working parts will function with great ease and eiiiciency. Furthermore, the

pin is provided be kept lubricated. I of my invention to necting pin of this with grease supplying and 'CODtfilIllIlg means whereby the parts may t is a further object provide a compound contype.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated vention but it .will be one specific embodiment of my in understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claimsappended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Referring to the figures of the drawing:

F g. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through my improved line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig, 2 is a side elev track connected by my improved pins.

connection taken on ation of a portion of Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. In the drawing, 1 indicates a plurality of track links connected by my lmproved compound pin 2. Each link is provided with a pair of inner connecting ears 3 atone end and a pair of outer the opposite end. Th

connecting ears 4 at e lnner ears of each The cap fits snugly 18, 1925. Serial N0. 9,955,

link are adapted to be received within the outer connecting ears ofthe next adjacent 5 and 6 therethrough for receiving the con-- necting pin.

My improved pin comprises a cylindrical pin member 7 on which is mounted a space block 8. This space black is of a length to fit within the holes 5 of the inner ears 3 and the block is made for a tight fit within such holes, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In the construction illustrated, the pin 7 projects beyond the ends of the block 8 and each projecting end thereof is adapted to receive a cap 9 thereover in the manner also illust-rated in Fig. 1, the caps and block 8 being in end to end abutting relation. These abutting ends are preferably formed into a sealing joint, such as the labyrinth seal 10, illustrated in Fig. 1. The construction is such that the block 8 engages within the openings 5 of the inner ears and the caps 9 engage within the openings 6 of the outer ears 4.

The following construction provides for lubricating the pin connection. An opening 11 is formed through the end of each cap 9 through which grease can be supplied to a bore 12 within the pin 7, the openings 11 normally being closed by screw plugs 13. A radially extending opening 14 from the bore 12 serves to conduct grease to the bearing surface between the pin 7 and the block 8. within the openings 6 and are held in place by pins 15 extending through lugs 16 on the links and over the ends of the caps. The parts of the caps engaged by the pins off at 17 whereby the pins also hold the caps against rotation.

It will be understood that in operation the links pivot on each other about the connect-- ing pins as the links pass over the sprocket wheels. The construction of the connecting pin is such as to permit this operation with the greatest ease and eificiency. Theblock f 8 is floatingly mounted on the center pin 7.

Also the block 8 engages and supports the inner ears and its link while the caps 9 engage and support the outer ears and its link Thus, as the links pivot on the pin, the action will be to rotate the block 8 on the pin 7 or. vice versa. This bearing and working surface between the pin 7 and block 8 is are preferably chamfered entirely housed and, therefore, always clean of any dirt or abrasive substance. Furthermore, the same can be lubricated by filling the bore 12 with grease through the openings 11.

It will be understood that the construction can be made and used with or without the lubricating feature, as desired. In either case the only working surfaces are between the pin 7, block 8 and end caps 9 and all abrasive is excluded whereby the life of the assembly is prolonged indefinitely.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a pair of cooperating track links having respectively inner and outer pairs of ears for joining the links together, the inner pair of ears of one link being adapted to fit within the outer pair of ears of the other link and having registering bolt receiving openings therethrough, a cylindrical pin member within the registering openings, a space block fioatingly mounted on the pin member and having its ends engaging within the openings inthe inner pair of cars, and means on the ends of the pin member fitting within the holes on the outer ears and in abutting end relation with the space block.

2. In combination, a pair of cooperating track links having respectively inner and outer pairs of cars for joining the links together, the inner pair of ears of one link being adapted to fit within the outer pair of 1 being adapted to ears of the other link and having registering bolt receiving openings therethrough, a cylindrical pin member within the registering openings, a space block fioatingly mounted on the pin member and having its ends engaging within the openings in the inner pair of ears, means on one end of the pin member fitting within the hole in one of the outer ears and in abutting end relation with the space block, and a removable cap on the other end of the pin member fitting within the hole in the other outer ear and in abutting end relation with the space block.

3. In combination, a pair of cooperating track links having respectively inner and outer pairs of ears for joining the links to gether, the inner pair of ears of one link fit within the outer pair of ears of the other link and having registering bolt receiving openings therethrough, a cylindrical pin member within the registering openings, a space block fioatingly mounted on the pin member and having its ends engaging within the openings in the inner pair of ears, the pin member having a grease receiving opening longitudinally therethrough and a cooperating laterally extending opening to the space block, means on the ends of the pin member fitting within the holes in the outer ears and in abutting end relation ivith the space block, and cooperating means whereby grease can be supplied to the grease receiving opening and the interior bearing surfaces of the pin.

' FRED GROTTS. 

